Here’s Why Every Home Cook Should Keep a Kitchen Torch Handy

There comes a stage in every home cook’s culinary journey when they start to decide which specialty tools and appliances they feel are worth it. You’ve already purchased a trustworthy chef’s knife and a dependable cast-iron skillet; now the fun can begin. Will you buy a sous vide, an air fryer, a stand mixer or all of the above? Of course, all of these tools cost money and take up space, so you’ll want to balance the undeniable joy of new gadgets with a realistic desire to avoid single-use tools. A kitchen torch is the kind of tool that you might have looked over because you considered it a one-trick pony — but the applications of a kitchen torch go beyond creme brulee.

You can use a kitchen torch to char veggies, brown a meringue or quickly make a crispy topping for a pan-baked dish like mac and cheese. Basically, your kitchen torch can be a stand-in for bigger, more time-consuming appliances. The right one will let you broil sweet treats or add a char to meat and veggies without turning on the oven or firing up the grill. Kitchen torches even have non-culinary applications.

Frankly, even if a kitchen torch was only good for creme brulee, it’d still be worth it — come on, creme brulee is delicious. We’ve rounded up some of the best kitchen torches you can buy right now, including compact all-in-one options and powerful professional torches.

1. Sondiko Refillable Kitchen Butane Torch

This affordable option has a slider to adjust the torch intensity, allowing you to quickly char meat or delicately crisp sugar without over-burning it. It has a refillable chamber for continued use. Instead of a trigger, the torch stays lit using the dial, eliminating the need to keep your finger on a trigger. It also has a near-perfect rating on Amazon after more than 23,000 reviews.

Buy: Sondiko Kitchen Torch $22.99

2. TBTeek Kitchen Torch

This kitchen torch from TBTeek is a top seller on Amazon and comes with an ergonomic, easy-to-use design as well as a safety lock for preventing accidental ignition in the kitchen. It’s made of aluminum alloy that’s sturdy and durable. It’s easy to refill and compatible with most butane gas brands. It’s got easy temperature controls so you can control the heat based on your needs, and there’s a continuous flame mode for larger kitchen jobs.

Buy: TBTeek Kitchen Torch $17.99

3. Iwatani International PRO2 Culinary Butane Torch

This option from Iwatani consists of just the torch — you’ll have to buy the right butane canister separately. The brand Iwatani has been around since 1930, and they introduced the first portable non-hose butane stove, so they have a serious pedigree when it comes to butane torches. This torch is a good option for searing sous-vide steaks or glazing a ham, in addition to a variety of other tasks.

Buy: Iwatani Kitchen Torch

4. Legendary Chef Culinary Cooking Torch

Whether you’re toasting marshmallows, searing steaks or achieving the perfect creme brulée crust, this kitchen torch is versatile enough for all culinary jobs. It’s got a built-in safety lock, and the handle is designed for creating a safe space between your fingers and the flame. The flame is adjustable via a switch on the side and there’s a twist-and-lock feature for a consistent flame as well.

Buy: Legendary Chef Culinary Cooking Torch $14.88

5. Bonjour Chef’s Tools Culinary Torch

Some torches are made from light plastic and others look like professional welding tools, but this one from Bonjour has a sleek design and an aluminum build, making it a great gift option. It’s designed to be easily refilled with butane, and you can adjust the intensity of the flame for more precision.

Buy: Bonjour Kitchen Torch $34.99

6. RÖSLE Kitchen Torch

RÖSLE was founded in 1888, and the company has been making precision cooking tools out of premium materials for nearly as long. It has a safety switch to keep it from accidentally turning on. The adjustable dial makes it easy to control the intensity of the flame, and it can reach temperatures up to 2,372 degrees Fahrenheit.

Buy: RÖSLE Kitchen Torch $49.96

7. Sterno Professional Culinary Torch

This option from Sterno is designed to be used with a butane canister attached. The safety lock prevents accidental ignition, while the anti-flare design keeps you safe as you use it. The knob allows you to adjust the intensity of the heat, and you can use the torch upside-down.

Buy: Sterno Kitchen Torch

8. EurKitchen Butane Culinary Kitchen Torch

This sleek and affordable option is a good starter if you’re understandably wary of playing with too much fire. It has a finger guard that helps protect your hands, and the built-in chamber is refillable. The dial on the back of the torch makes it easy to adjust the strength of the flame. The twist knob helps prevent the torch from accidentally going off.

Buy: EurKitchen Kitchen Torch $29.99

9. Bernzomatic Trigger Start Torch Head

This option from Bernzomatic is designed for soldering and heat-treating — it’s not specifically made as a kitchen tool. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use it as one. You can use it to quickly char sous vide, and it works with propane instead of butane. It’s worth noting that this option doesn’t have an adjustable flame, so you have to be comfortable with the powerful flame that it’ll produce.

Buy: Bernzomatic Torch Head $36.97

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